Just In: Tears, Grief as Popular Influential Journalist Dies
- Late Governor Olabisi Onabanjo's private secretary and veteran journalist, Olufemi Odugbose, has passed away at 63 in Ogun state
- According to a statement from the family, his burial is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, following a wake-keep on January 30
- Odugbose's death follows two weeks after the passing of fellow journalist Yakubu Mohammed, the co-founder of the Newswatch Magazine
Olufemi Odugbose, an influential journalist and former private secretary to the first Ogun state civilian governor, the late Olabisi Onabanjo, has reportedly died.
The report indicated that the veteran journalist died in the early hours of Thursday, January 29 and has been scheduled for burial on Saturday, January 31.
Source: Getty Images
According to The Punch, his burial will happen in Ago-Iwoye in Ogun state, after a wake-keep at his residence in the town on Friday, January 30.
The deceased worked with The Punch for several years and distinguished himself as a sub-editor. He rose to the rank of deputy chief sub-editor before his resignation in 1999. He also co-founded Treasure Weekly in the same year he resigned from The Punch. The publication was based in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
Newswatch Magazine founder dies
Odugbose's death came barely two weeks after Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed, a veteran journalist and co-founder of the Newswatch Magazine, was declared dead.
Mohammed's death was announced in a statement by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, who sent his condolences to the family and the Nigerian Union of Journalists over the passing of the elder statesman.
Ismaila Isah, the spokesperson to the governor, who signed the statement on Wednesday, January 14, stated that the deceased was not only the pioneer of modern investigative journalism in the country, but also a proud son of the North Central state.
He said Mohammed was from the Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi and his contributions transcended the media space.
Governor Ododo praises late Yakubu Mohammed
Governor Ododo stated that the late veteran belonged to the generation of journalists who shaped the professionalism, courage and integrity of Nigerian journalism, having 'redesigned public discourse' and 'strengthened accountability in Nigeria's democracy'.
Ododo recalled the establishment of the Newswatch Magazine in the 1980s, along with other veteran journalists, Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu and Dan Agbese, adding that the development marked a turning point in the country's journalism and set the standard for investigative reporting and editorial importance in the country.
The Kogi governor also extolled the days of Mohammed in the public service, adding that his tenure as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and his contribution to the growth of Kogi were invaluable.
Source: Twitter
Tears as 3 APC chieftains die
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Kogi state government had announced the death of three prominent chieftains of the APC, with many Nigerians expressing condolences and some calling for clarity on the circumstances of their deaths.
This was attributed to Kingsley Fanwo, the state's commissioner for information and communication, who announced their deaths in a statement on Monday, January 12, not mentioning the circumstances of the leaders' demises.
Source: Legit.ng
